The Morning Dish – Tuesday, October 14th
Today’s Morning Dish is an All-Big East edition.
Slighted: Syracuse athletic director Jake Crouthamel yesterday pouted yesterday, ripping Boston College for leaving the Big East for the ACC. According to the Associated Press, Crouthamel said, “Three months ago, [we] sat face to face and pledged loyalty to one another and to the Big East. I guess handshakes don’t mean much anymore.” Part of it may be envy, as Syracuse was originally tabbed as an ACC expansion target, and part of it may be that Syracuse used to be the football power that Virginia Tech is now. But you would think that the ACC would be interested in the defending basketball national champions.
Loyal: Meanwhile, Pittsburgh officials have announced that they are not exploring other options, and plan on remaining in the Big East. Athletic Director Jeff Long told the AP that, “we are disappointed with the ACC’s continued attack on the Big East Conference and in Boston College’s decision to turn its back on its fellow members of the Big East.” With the Big Ten seeking a 12th team (on occasion) Pittsburgh has been mentioned as a potential expansion target of that franchise, especially with the potential in-state rivalry with Penn State.
Legal: And of course, officials from four remaining Big East football schools (Connecticut, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia) have approved a lawsuit against Boston College and four ACC officials on the same “conspiracy to weaken the Big East” charges. This comes less than a week after the Big East vs. the ACC was dropped by a Connecticut judge, ruling that the ACC can’t be sued in Connecticut, as they have no business dealings in that state. The four schools are still suing Miami on weakening the ACC. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told Sportlsine, “The more we learn, the more appalled and astonished we are by the depth and breadth of the illegality.” Oh, my.
